QMI Agency

Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers is taking his share of the blame and suffering for his team's poor start to the season.

Head coach Lindy Ruff put the struggling 23-year-old through a hard workout after Saturday morning's skate and made him a healthy scratch that night against the New York Islanders.

"I'm embarrassed, and I should be," Myers told John Vogl of The Buffalo News.

To say Myers hasn't been earning his paycheque is an understatement. He has one goal and was tied for the league-low in plus/minus with -9 heading into Saturday's games.

The 2010 Calder Trophy winner is in the first year of a seven-year, $38.5 million contract. He received a $10-million signing bonus in July and is earning a $2 million prorated salary this season.

"It's just all mental for me," Myers said. "I make a mistake, I'm too hard on myself and put too much pressure on myself in the long run. I think I just need to relax and take a step back and start enjoying myself instead of working my way out of my own game.

"It's easier said than done. The way the last seven out of 10 games have gone, it's tough to have fun when that's happening. It's a matter of trying to get on the positive side mentally and just start enjoying myself. It's a game. I know I have to make some changes, and just keeping it simple is a good place to start."

The Sabres are 14th in the Eastern Conference and last in the Northeast Division with a 4-6-1 record.

WIZ SEEING STARS

James Wisniewski doesn't remember the crash, just the burn.

The injured Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman doesn't recall his wipeout during last week's game against the Detroit Red Wings. All he remembers is what happened afterward as he was helped off the ice and sent to the dressing room.

"I watched the replay, and it was surreal," Wisniewski told The Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline on Friday. "For one thing, I had no idea I was down on the ice that long. When I walked in (the dressing room), I didn't really recognize the place."

After dumping the puck into the Detroit zone in a Feb. 2 game, Wisniewski gave chase, spun out of control and crashed back-first into the boards. He suffered a concussion, an injured left hip flexor, a bruised lower right back, a swollen elbow and a neck sprain on the play.

But Wisniewski could be back patrolling the Columbus blueline as early as Sunday after being cleared for contact Saturday.

"Everything went well in practice, but we still have to wait after practice to see how he feels," head coach Todd Richards told the team's website. "But one thing about athletes and dealing with these guys is they know their body really well, so it's not surprising. These guys take care of themselves. It was a hit that was a bit disturbing when you see it, but it's nice to know that he's okay."

"I don't think he's good enough early in games," Sutter told Jon Rosen of L.A. Kings Insider after a recent loss to the Nashville Predators. "We expect a lot out of him. He and his partner (Rob Scuderi) are on the ice for too many goals against."

Doughty is a team worst -8 while Scuderi is not better much at -7.

Doughty's production, however, has been decent for a Kings team that is struggling offensively. He has four assists in nine games this season.

BRIEFLY

Saturday's tilt between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden was postponed due to the blizzard that hit the U.S. Northeast. A make-up date has yet to be announced ... Vancouver Canucks forward David Booth skated with the team for the first time this season after suffering a groin injury in training camp. He was originally slated to be out of the lineup for four-to-six weeks ... San Jose Sharks defenceman Brent Burns played his first game of the season Saturday against the Coyotes after suffering a lower-body injury. To make room for him, the Sharks put defenceman Nick Petrecki on waivers and assigned Matt Irwin to the AHL's Worcester Sharks ... Ottawa Senators forward Peter Regin suffered an upper-body injury during Saturday's game against the Winnipeg Jets. His status for Tuesday's game is uncertain ... The Blue Jackets sent defenceman David Savard down to the AHL's Springfield Falcons after a three-game NHL stint ... The Dallas Stars sent forward Antoine Roussel to the AHL's Texas Stars.